Combined picture frame and storage file



March 13, 1956 A. E. HARTMANN COMBINED PICTURE FRAME AND STORAGE FILE Filed Deo. 25, 1950 INVENTOR. ,40a PH E. Hn/QrM/v/v BY United States Patent hce commu-PICTURE FRAME ANnks'ronnoE'nlL-E' Ihisf invention relates to' card, picture" andt sign` ex-` more' particularly to an improved "frame" hibi and1 :l ction which adaptsit with; especialiconvenience' of `-,dis'p1`ay-iiIg` apicture, drawing, design,A inap, chart or graph,-w1i`tten report or announcementor anysuch ma? terial which can behdisplayed more' attracftivly;"con-4 veniently or eiectively when mounted within* aisuitable frame. i v

For the sake of convenience in terminology, tlef'raniet' olithe' present* invention will be describedi throughout' this'speciiication andV the" claims, as being" intended: for' the* display of a picture, but it is to be understoodvthat the frame' is equally eiective and' convenient" for' use any other decorative or informative matterfirawn, painted, printed, or otherwise' delineated u'ponf paper, cav s; o'r other thin sheet material. In other'vs'ford's," I' consider that my present invention resides' n'fra'nic, and 4isnot concerned with the natureof thernattertobe mounted! within and displayed Vbythe' n. i

An object of my present invention isv to" provide' a' frame in the design and construction of whiclr means are provided for the interchange of apicturejbeing dis? played' thereby for another in ahighly convenient' mane ner.

further' object of my invention is t'oprovidev a frame; within which a picture to be displayetlcan' bef mounted'inv such a manner that not` onlyE is?` the-picture appropriately andtastefully framed, but it? is also' adeq'uaj-te'l'yiA protected just as eiiiciently as though if were permanently framed, and yet from which the'picture can: easily andouickly be removed, as for example; when itis* desired to change the picture for anotheronel A further object in this connection for facilitating the operation of insertion of a picture info" the" frame so that not only is the` operationl of such insertion performed quickly and easily, but also in such af vr'er that danger vofV harming they picture' is mini-f "nfother object of theA invention is to provide, in a fra'uic of the general character indicated', a' suitable-mask,- or mathaving a cutout opening, and, in. cio-operative' association therewith, al ap which serves not only as ai guide in arranging a picture in desired" position with respect"`to the mats opening, but also in retainingthe picture in that Vselected position upon the back off the" mat'nobonly during the operation of inserting' the matand picture into the frame, but also for the' duration of the periodfthat that particular picture remains on dis-V play.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide ina frame of the character described, means for accommodating more pictures than the one beingl displiayedat any given time, so that it servesasj a storage magazine or iile within which a relatively large number of `pictures; may be tiled away in convenient and safe storage and from which any one may be selected when ever desired and exhibited by moving it to that portion of" tlievframe in which it is displayed.'v Y

is to provid'e'means" 2,737,745 Patented Mar. 13, 1956 Ihe invention possesses other` objects. and features: ofv advantage, some' of which, with the' foregoing, willbe s et' forth in'v the fo'llov'ving-` description of' the preferred form' oi my inventionwhich' is illustrated in the draw.- i'ngs accompanying'a'nd. forming part' of the specification- Y l't.I is to be unglerstoodv that I do not limit myself to the showingmade by'th'e said drawings and' description, as I'-` may adopt variations of'the' preferred: form within the scope' of my invention as' set" forth, in the claims.

Referring to' the drawings:

Figure l is' a perspective view of' a combined frame. a'iidstorage'file incorporating' the principles ofthe pres-l ent invention;

Figure 2 is' a vertical sectional View drawn to an enlarged'Y scale with the plane' of section' being, indicated by'the' lines ZL-Z' ofr'Figure, l" and the direction of view" by the arrows: A portion' of the' ligure is'b'rolen away to reduce' its size.'V

Figure" 3 is a perspective view| drawn' to slightly reduced scale as" compared to' Figure' 2, of' the mat' and positioningv flap which" constitute' important portions of the frame of the present invention and showing` the manner' of theiruse in positioninga' picture to be exhibited within the frame.

FigureI 4 is' an enlarged detail* view' ofi` a portion of.vr themat' and flap offFi'gnre" 31 This'may'be considered' ahsection'al' vieW- taken' upon the lines 4 4 of Figure 3 with' thedirection' of' view as' indicated.

Specifically-'describing that" embodiment of my invention' that has been chosen'for' illustration and: description herein, the' combined picture" displaying' frame and storage' le comprisesv a frame member' indicatedin its entirety at 6 and? made' up of'top' and bottom rails' 7 and" 8l respectively and a pair otfspa'cedE end members on stiles' `Thesev four'pieces' are` rigidly'V interconnected at their ends, preferably in' the manner conventionally employed' in` the construction of picture' frames, to encircle' a' centra'l opening 11 through which a picture' mayv be' displayed. The front surfaces' of: the' members' 7, 8, and 9 may' bel plain' or provided with suitable ornamentation suchI as a6 series' of beads' t2 extending longitudinally' of each of' the four members;`

The' corner of cach` of the' four' members' 7 8, and' 9' atf the intersection' of the' vback face' 16 ofthe inner edge' 17' thereof is' routed' out-"topresent a recess 18 in the, b'a'li of: the' framed of` slightly greater lengthv and widthrespectively than` the corresponding' dimensions of thel franies opening' Il, i. e., eachY off the four Vframe' mem bers 7, 8; and? 9'iis` possessed of' ai Hange' portion 19]' err-Y t'cnding inwards with' respect to" the frames' opening 1'1' a` short distance' beyond the corresponding edge` V21 of the reces's'18 in the" back of theL frame.

The back of the recess' 18' is closed throughout the major portion of its areal` by a back plateV 26 of rigid or semi-rigid material such asl av sheetof relatively thick and hea-vv' cardboardl back plate 26 does not extend all the way to; the correspending; edge of' the frame 6v so as to leave a' relatively narrow opening 28 leading into the recess 18 from the back 'of the frame' through which a picture to be displayed" can be inserted into the recess in a manner to' be described in deta'il' hereinbelow.

Preferably' before the back' plate 26'is aflixed in posi'- tion to the back of theframe, a sheet 31 of' glass is placed in position within' the dimensions of this sheet 31 tightly againstl the edges 21 tends to remain in position faces of the anges' 19.

In co-operative association with the frame 6 is a mask or mafniembe'rzhavingf a `cut-out opening 33. yThis mat 32y is made of sui-table. semi-rigid material such' as,

are such at it rtits relatively; of the recess 18 so that it in contact with the after sur However, one` edge 27 of the recess I8' and preferablythe preferably, a good grade of cardboard having an attractive finish on its front surface. The edges 34 of the cut-out opening 33 are preferably beveled in accordance with conventional practice in the construction of such mats so as to lend a highly attractive, neat and finished appearance to the assembly when mounted within the frame 6 and having a picture or the like displayed through the cut-out opening 33. A ap 36 is affixed along one of its edges 37 to one of the edges of the mat 32 and in position with the body portion of the ap extending laterally away from the mat 32. Consequently, in order for the body portion 38 of the llap to assume a position against the back of the mat 32 it is necessary to fold the flap double along a fold line 39 parallel to the edge 37 of the ap which is affixed to the mat 32. When so folded, the flap 38 co-operates with the mat 32 to position a picture disposed therebetween with the edges of the picture accurately parallel to the edges 34 of the mat 32 and in selected position of adjustment wherein the edges of the picture are either concealed behind the mat 32 in the event that the picture is of larger size than the cut-out opening 33, or suitably spaced from the edges 34 of the cut-out 33 in the event that the picture is of smaller size than the cut-out opening 33.

To faciliate locating the picture to be displayed in the desired position in back of the mat 32 and with relationship to the cut-out opening 33, that portion 46 of the flap 36 immediately adjacent the edge 37 thereof which is bonded to the back of the mat 32 is provided with a plurality of preferably evenly spaced lines 47 extending parallel to the edge 37. Preferably these lines 47 are 1A" apart and with each a calibration 48 is associated, each of these calibrations being a numeral which will indicate the size of a picture, in inches, which will be centered with respect to the cut-out opening 33 if an edge of the picture is brought into registry with the line 47 with which that particular calibration 48 is associated. For example, the line 47 with which the calibration 8" is associated should be 4 from the center of the cut-out opening 33 whereas the next line 47 identified by the calibration 8l/2 should be 41A" from the center of the cut-out opening 33, and so on. Hence, if the mat 32 is removed from the frame 6 and then laid face down upon any suitable supporting surface with the ap 38 opened to its extended position (as indicated in Figure 4) and if a picture S1 is then laid face down upon the back of the mat 32, the bottom edge of the picture 51 should be brought into registry with the line 47 which is the calibration 48 the numerical value of which corresponds to the height expressed in inches of the picture, that picture will be centered with respect to the opening 33 of the mat 32. The body portion 38 of the flap 36 should then be folded over the back of the picture 51 forming a pocket against the bottom of which the lower edge of the picture 51 rests so that the mat 32 then can be re-inserted into the frame 6 with the picture 51 securely retained in selected position by its being enveloped between the mat 32 and the flap 36. It is apparent, therefore, that each of the lines 47 represents a fold line along which the ap 36 may be folded with the result that the co-operating mat 32 and flap 36 serve the dual purpose of facilitating insertion of a picture into the frame 6 without damage to the picture, and of retaining the picture 51 in predetermined position with respect to the mat 32 so as to assure that the picture will remain in that exact position chosen by the operator.

In order to facilitate such entry of the mat 32 and a picture 51 carried thereby into the recess 18, I prefer to relieve the top member 7 of the frame 6 by chamfering or beveling the back surface of the frame member 7 to provide a sloping entrance throat 52 leading into the top of the recess 18 as most clearly shown in Figure 2.

Another important feature of the present invention is 4 26 to the forward face of the glass 31 at the front of the recess 18. Observation of Figure 2 will disclose that this depth is considerably greater than the combined thickness of the glass 31, the mat 32, the picture 51, and the flap 36. This excess space within the recess 18 adds very materially to the utility of the frame of the present Y invention inasmuch as it provides a convenient file or sheet of foldable material aixed concerned with the depth of the recess 18, i. e., .the dis-z.

tance measured from the forward face of the back plate storage space within which additional pictures can be stored safely and protected against deterioration by light, dust, and the like. Very frequently, a series of pictures of the same size becomes available to the public, such for example as those used as advertising, different pictures being offered at various intervals so as to persuade the buying public to return frequently to secure the next successive picture. These pictures are usually of high artistic value and the present invention contemplates the provision of a convenient and safe place of assembly and storage of such pictures as they issue. As they are collected, one of the pictures can be displayed, the rest being successively interchangeable with that displayed at the front of the frame, so that the subject matter displayed in the frame can be varied to suit the will.

Means are also provided for supporting the frame 6 in display position. A hanger 56 is secured to the back 26 of the frame adjacent the top rail 7 and preferably another similar hanger (not shown) adjacent one of the end stiles 9 so that the frame 6 can readily be hung on the Wall in either the horizontal or the vertical position. If, however, it is desired to use the frame as an easel resting upon a desk or table, a short piece 57 of doweling may be inserted into a suitable socket 58 provided in the back surface of the lower rail 8, as illustrated in Figure 2. Preferably, a similar socket (not shown) is also provided in one of the end stile members 9 so that the frame also can be supported as a easel in either the horizontal or vertical position.

I claim:

1. A mat for framing a picture comprising a body of sheet material having therein a window, and picturecentering means co-operatively associated therewith comprising a sheet of foldable material affixed along one edge thereof to the back of said body between an edge of the window and the corresponding outer edge of the body and extending therefrom toward said edge of the body, said foldable sheet having a plurality of spaced parallel graduation lines imprinted thereon parallel to said edge of the window indicating locations for selectively folding said foldable sheet back upon itself to dene a picturecentering bight at selected distance from said edges of the window.

2. A mat for framing a picture comprising a body of sheet material having therein a window, and picture-centering means co-operatively associated therewith comprising a sheet of foldable material axed along one edge thereof to the back of said body between an edge of the window and the corresponding outer edge of the body and extending therefrom toward said edge of the body, said foldable sheet having a plurality of spaced parallel graduation lines imprinted thereon parallel to said edge of the window indicating locations for selectively folding said foldable sheet back upon itself to define a picture-centering bight at selected distance from said edge of the window and size-indicating calibrations imprinted on said foldable sheet in co-operative association with said graduation lines.

3. A mat for framing a picture comprising a body of sheet material having therein a centering a picture with said window with the margins of the picture concealed behind said body and the remainder of the picture in registry with and displayed through the window, said aligning means comprising a along one edge thereof to the back of said body and extending from said edge away from said window, said sheet of foldable material being reversely folded about a bight spaced from said window and means for window by a distance corresponding to the width of the associated margin of the picture and thereby presenting an abutment stop spacing the associated marginal edge of the picture from said window.

4. A mat for framing a picture comprising a body of sheet material having therein a window and means for centering a picture with said window with the margins of the picture concealed behind said body and the remainder of the picture in registry with and displayed through the window, said aligning means comprising a sheet of foldable material atxed along one edge thereof to the back of said body and extending from said edge away from said window, said sheet of foldable material having a plurality of spaced graduation marks thereon, each indicating the location for a fold line about which to rcversely bend the foldable sheet to form therein a bight spaced from the proximate edge of the window by a distance corresponding to the width of the margin of a picture of predetermined size larger than said window and centered with relation to the window.

5. A mat for framing a picture comprising a body of sheet material having therein a window and means for centering a picture with said window with the margins of the picture concealed behind said body and the remainder of the picture in registry with and displayed through the window, said aligning means comprising a sheet of foldable material axed along one edge thereof to the back of said body and extending from said edge away from said window, said sheet of foldable material having a plurality of spaced graduation marks thereon,

each indicating the location for a fold line about which to reversely bend the foldable sheet to form therein a bight spaced from the proximate edge of the window by a distance corresponding to the width of the margin of a picture of predetermined size larger than said window and centered with relation to the window and numerical calibrations marked on said foldable sheet in co-operative association with said graduation indicating the size of picture centerable with relation to the window by seating an edge of the picture against the bight formed in said foldable sheet by reversely bending at each of said graduations.

References Cited inthe le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 577,676 Bartoszewicz Feb. 23, 1897 599,774 Emmenegger Mar. 1, 1898 630,215 Gross Aug. l, 1899 752,943 Allen Feb. 23, 1904 1,270,475 Wilkenson June 25, 1918 2,118,384 Patten May 24, 1938 2,495,142 Scary Ian. 17, 1950 2,504,332 Horwitt Apr. 18, 1950 2,510,629 Golden June 6, 1950 2,611,369 Herrick Sept. 23, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 23,365 Great Britain Dec. 1, 1914 

